a small minority

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small minority" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of people who are significantly outnumbered by a larger group. For example, "A small minority of students expressed opposition to the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A small minority is deeply opposed.

The Economist

The Salafists are a small minority.

The Economist

They remain a small minority among protesters.

Independent

A small minority practices traditional beliefs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The barbarians were everywhere a small minority.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Mega-bears" are still a small minority.

The Economist

Blacks were a small minority statewide, too.

The New York Times

Still, they represent a small minority.

The New York Times - Travel

Only a small minority of Americans paid.

The New York Times - Books

But they were a small minority.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's tyranny by a small minority".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small minority", ensure the contrast with the larger group is clear. This helps emphasize the relative insignificance or limited influence of the minority.

Common error

Avoid using "a small minority" when the group you're referring to constitutes a significant portion, even if it's technically less than half. The phrase implies a noticeably smaller subset.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small minority" functions as a noun phrase acting as a determiner and a noun. It specifies a subset of a larger group, emphasizing its limited size or influence. Ludwig indicates this phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small minority" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a relatively small subset of a larger group. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to quantify and qualify a group, emphasizing its limited size or influence. Usage analysis indicates that the phrase is particularly common in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the contrast with the larger group is clear and that it accurately reflects the relative scale. While highly versatile, be cautious not to misrepresent the actual proportion being described. Consider using alternatives like "few individuals" or "tiny fraction" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny fraction

Highlights the proportional insignificance of the group.

a limited number

Stresses the restriction on the quantity or amount.

a few individuals

Focuses on the individuals involved, highlighting their limited number.

an insignificant segment

Emphasizes the lack of importance or influence of the group.

a negligible portion

Indicates that the group or amount is so small it can be disregarded.

a handful of people

Emphasizes the smallness of the group using a more informal expression.

a scant few

Combines the idea of scarcity and small quantity.

a restricted contingent

Highlights that the group is confined or controlled in number.

a mere smattering

Implies that the group is thinly distributed or sparsely represented.

a fringe element

Suggests the group is on the periphery and not central or mainstream.

FAQs

How can I use "a small minority" in a sentence?

You can use "a small minority" to indicate that a relatively small group holds a particular view or engages in a specific behavior. For example: "A small minority of the population disagrees with the new policy."

What are some alternatives to using "a small minority"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "few individuals", "tiny fraction", or "limited number" as alternatives to "a small minority".

Is it always appropriate to use "a small minority"?

Using "a small minority" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that a group represents a significantly smaller proportion of a larger group. Make sure the scale is clear and that the term accurately reflects the relative size.

What's the difference between "a small minority" and "a small majority"?

"A small minority" indicates a small portion of a larger group, whereas "a small majority" indicates a group that is slightly larger than half of the total. These terms describe opposite ends of the spectrum.